From Sty Wick Bay, Sanday, Orkney
This bone cup was found at Sty Wick Bay on Sanday in Orkney. It was used sometime between 3100 and 2400 BC.
The cup was made from a vertebra (a segment of the spinal column) of a fish or sea mammal such as a dolphin or whale. It is damaged on the rim.
The convenient shapes and qualities of some animal bones made them ideal for certain kinds of objects and ornaments. Some parts needed little or no modification to produce objects, as in this case.
To search on related items, click any underlined text below.